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How Interpol’s Serengeti 2.0 Operation Disrupted $300M Crypto Scams and 11,000 Malicious Infrastructures

ByFlorida Dan

In a sweeping display of international cooperation, Interpol’s Operation Serengeti 2.0 — conducted from June to August 2025 — brought down one of the most extensive cybercrime networks ever seen in Africa.

Here’s what went down:

  • 1,209 cybercriminals arrested, spanning 18 African nations plus the UK, targeting nearly 88,000 victims across various regions.
  • $97.4 million recovered, alongside the dismantling of 11,432 malicious infrastructures, underscoring the magnitude of the disruption.
  • Angola: Authorities shut down 25 cryptocurrency mining centers run by foreign nationals, seizing $37 million in mining gear and illegal power stations, repurposing them for public power infrastructure.
  • Zambia: A sprawling investment fraud duped 65,000 victims out of $300 million via a complex crypto-scam. Investigation resulted in 15 arrests, seizure of domains, phone contacts, bank accounts, and even 372 forged passports.
  • Ivory Coast: A long-standing inheritance scam with roots in Germany was dismantled. Authorities seized electronics, jewelry, vehicles, and cash, recovering approximately $1.6 million in assets.

Why This Operation Mattered:

  • Investigators were trained in OSINT, ransomware forensics, and crypto tracing ahead of the operation, which amplified the impact dramatically.
  • Collaboration with the private sector—particularly intelligence shared on suspicious IPs, domains, and command-and-control servers—enhanced detection and response.
  • Institutions like TRM Labs even contributed targeted intelligence on ransomware groups such as Bl00dy and RansomHub, accelerating infrastructure takedowns.

Quote Spotlight:

“Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last… With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims.”
— Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza

The Takeaway:

Operation Serengeti 2.0 is more than just a headline—it’s proof that when law enforcement and private expertise unite preemptively, cybercrime doesn’t stand a chance. For companies like BlockDivers, it emphasizes how cooperation, intelligence sharing, and forensic tooling are the building blocks of credible and impactful recovery operations.

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